We all have 'em: hilarious or embarrassing public transportation stories. In a city like Chicago, it's pretty hard not to have heard a transportation story or two that will permanently be etched into your brain. If you haven't heard a good one in awhile Read more

This Thursday is our opening reception for our latest exhibit, Formal | Loose | Painting. Join us for refreshments, to speak with the curator, Jennifer Murray, and of course, to appreciate the contemporary abstract art!
This event is FREE and will be held in the Ralph Read more

The time has finally come! Our third mainstage production, fml: How Carson McCullers Saved My Life will be featured on our Newhart Family Theatre stage these next two weekends!
Join us for this contemporary play that explores cyber-bullying, homophobia and the complexity of being a Read more

This Thursday the Newhart Promenade will be featuring our new gallery exhibit, Prism Walls: Sexual Identity and the Expression of Desire. Join us for this FREE event from 5 - 6:30 PM to get a first look at the art which examines the moment when self-preservation and the Read more

Join the University of Chicago‘s Oriental Institute in welcoming a unique exhibit to Chicago on Saturday, February 28 from 1-3PM! This interactive exhibit, aptly titled “Secret of the Mummies,” will allow children of all ages (adults included, and encouraged!) to see how a mummies are wrapped in prepariation for the afterlife. Not only will the lovely Oriental Institute staff be happy to explain how everything is done, they would like you to do it with them! That’s right folks, this may be the only opportunity you’ll ever have to interact with a simulation mummy dummy in the flesh, so don’t miss out!

This creepy encounter is absolutely FREE and open to the public for ONE DAY ONLY, so grab some friends and head on down!

As human beings, it’s in our nature to avoid sensitive subjects. However, there are some parts of our nation’s history we simply cannot ignore, slavery being one of the largest topics. In light of recent happenings– the Eric Garner case,Michael Brown, etc.– The Northern Lights Theatre brings to Chicago an in-your-face look at race and how we view differences in America: White Guy on the Bus.

The show’s protagonist, Ray, is a number-crunching millionaire who has begun to tire of his lavish lifestyle in the city, wishes to cash in and move out. Ray is not what he seems on the outside — he takes the bus to work in an effort to appear eco-friendly, despite owning luxury vehicles. His wife Roz, an inner-city teacher, strongly disagrees, being an advocate for the ‘little guy’. Meanwhile, Ray continues to ride the bus to work, often bumping into Shatique, a single mother working to support her family. The contrasting characters give viewers a real sense of the stark inequality in today’s society.

Northern Lights Theatre will run this production through March 1, with shows every day except Monday. Tickets are $25-$78, and can be purchased here. For more information regarding this show, click here!

No, this isn’t the invitation to a bee-bop competition. It is to warn you that possibly the scariest movie of the past decade is out now, and preparing for a run at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The Babadook, written and directed by Jennifer Kent, will forever make you afraid to crack open those old children’s books of yours. From February 27 to March 5, test your will to withstand the scary.

This isn’t no Paranormal Activity 6 or Insidious 4. The Babadook tells the story of a single mother caring for her six year old son, and the pressures of life that start to plague them both. These are made exponentially worse (or caused by???) a children’s book the mother finds and reads to her son. From that point on, things begin spiraling out of control in any number of supernatural ways. Learning the tricks of the trade from Lars von Trier, Jennifer Kent took full advantage of her first feature film. Don’t believe me? See the trailer here and judge for yourself.

The Babadook will be featured at the Gene Siskel Film Center from February 27 to March 5 with show times varying by day. To read more about the movie, as well as check show dates and times, please follow the link here. To pre-purchase tickets online, click the link here.

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The Department of Fine and Performing Arts (DFPA) is comprised of four distinct areas of study; Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts are combined to promote dynamic artistic and academic opportunities for our students. The academic programs of the DFPA are complemented throughout the year by over 100 public presentations, performances, and exhibitions.